- Program
- Surf and Service, Costa Rica
- Traveled
- June 2025
- Hometown
- Redmond, Washington
- Program Leaders
- Isa and Josh
In this first-person account, Caroline Bryant of Redmond, Washington, looks back on Rustic Pathways’ Surf and Service program in Costa Rica in June 2025, with photos from the trip.
Caroline describes feeling at home by the first night despite homesickness worries, painting a primary school and playing with the kids, and counselors who helped through anxious moments.
Caroline’s Homesickness Worries and a Fast Welcome in Costa Rica
Hi! My name is Caroline Bryant, and I went on the Surf and Service Costa Rica trip. I couldn’t be more grateful to have gone on this once-in-a-lifetime trip and met all the people I did.
Going into the trip I was very nervous about homesickness but everyone in my group was so kind and I felt at home by night one. My favorite memory from this trip was when we painted a primary school and got to play with the kids.
Painting a School, Surfing and a Bungalow With a Pool
I loved seeing the kids because it made all our hard work worth it. Not only did we surf and do service, but we played on the beach, had amazing food, relaxed in the sun, and stayed at the most amazing bungalow with a pool!!
Counselors Isa and Josh, and Advice for Future Rustic Travelers
I don’t think my trip would’ve been anything without my counselors Isa and Josh! They made us feel like family and were so amazing the entire trip, helping me when I was anxious but also encouraging us and hanging out with us!
To anyone thinking about going on a Rustic trip, I promise it’ll give not only lifelong memories that you can never recreate, but new best friends and a glimpse into a new experience.
Caroline describes feeling at home quickly and the counselors who felt like family. The memories concern the June 2025 session, and Caroline first shared them on the Rustic Pathways Instagram account on July 16, 2025.
The program still runs as Costa Rica: Surf and Service. It runs 8 days for students ages 14–18, with five days of surf lessons on the Pacific coast and about 12 hours of beach and community service. See the program page for the current itinerary, dates and activities.
